Over the next few weeks, the Buffalo Sabres are expected to ramp up conversations with Alex Tuch about a potential contract extension. The assumption is that if new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen believes he can't get the deal done, then he will trade Alex Tuch.
Tuch is currently playing in the final year of his contract and is set to be a free agent after the season. It would be disappointing if Tuch were to leave after the season and the Sabres were not able to get anything in return to replace the loss.
Certainly, if the Sabres are able to get a good deal ahead of the March 6th deadline and it makes sense for their team, and improves their playoff chances, they should jump at it. However, they shouldn't just trade Tuch based on the fact that they don't believe that they can reach an agreement on a new deal.
Jarmo Kekalainen has taken the unorthodox approach to pending free agents in the past
During the 2018-19 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets were just outside the playoff picture around the trade deadline. Kekalainen, at the time as general manager of the Blue Jackets, could have easily moved Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, as both were set to be unrestricted free agents after the season.
However, instead of trading them and building for the future, Kekalainen went the other direction and was aggressive to give the Blue Jackets a chance to make a run in the playoffs. The Blue Jackets made four trades in February that season, with the big trade being the acquisition of Matt Duchene.
The Blue Jackets finished the regular season strong and would make it as far as the second round of the playoffs after sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning before losing to the Boston Bruins in six.
Buffalo Sabres can't jeopardize their playoff chances to just get something in return for Alex Tuch
After the season, the Blue Jackets would see both Bobrovsky and Panarin leave in free agency after the season to sign with the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers, respectively. While the Blue Jackets didn't win the Stanley Cup, it was the only time in franchise history that they got past the first round of the playoffs.
The Buffalo Sabres are facing a historically significant season for the franchise as they are trying to end a 14-season playoff drought. The last thing the fans want to see is them make a trade that hurts their chances this season to theoretically help them down the road.
If the Sabres don't reach a deal with Tuch before the trade deadline, it also isn't a guarantee that he would leave (or they wouldn't get something in return). Last summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to trade Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights before free agency.
All options should be on the table for Jarmo Kekalainen, the Buffalo Sabres, and Alex Tuch. However, the priority for the Sabres' new general manager has to be putting the Buffalo Sabres in the best chance possible to end their playoff drought, even if it means Alex Tuch leaves in free agency.